Agenda item

To receive a report from the Chief Executive.

Resolved:

That Cabinet note:

1.    The revised expression of interest submitted to government as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

2.    The intention to continue discussions with neighbouring councils and government as appropriate, particularly following the publication of the English Devolution White Paper.

Reason for Decision:

Devolution should provide greater freedoms and flexibilities allowing councils to work more effectively to improve services for local residents.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, presented a report providing an update on Wiltshire Council’s expression of interest in devolution submitted to government by Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire councils.

The Leader reported that since the last update to Cabinet in October 2024 further discussions have taken place with Dorset and Somerset councils and the Expression of Interest (EoI) has been amended for the proposed ‘Heart of Wessex’ devolution deal for a directly elected mayor for the Combined Authority.

Cabinet noted that a letter has been sent to the Deputy Prime Minister requesting that the Heart of Wessex be considered in the first tranche of devolution deals. The revised submission reflects the shared vision for securing better funding deals through local empowerment and collaboration. It was expected that an English Devolution White Paper would be published on 16 December, which should provide further clarity, ahead of further legislation being laid before parliament. The offer to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Swindon Borough Council remained open.

Cabinet, although accepting of the proposals expressed concerns about additional tiers of bureaucracy being imposed, recognised the many challenges ahead and raised queries about the Combined Authorities ability to raise finances through precepts.

Three public and member questions were received for the meeting, and these were included in the published agenda supplement together with written responses prior to this meeting.  

Supplementary questions were received from: 

·       Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, recognised that the devolution process was being forced on Local Authorities by the Government and noted that one of the economic drivers for the Heart of Wessex should be the inclusion of Swindon Borough Council in the Combined Authority. He stressed the importance of backbench members and residents being involved in discussions about the future structure of any combined authority in the area and asked about the funding requirements for this additional layer of bureaucracy. The Leader confirmed that he had provided updates to members, and this would continue throughout the process with debates at Full Council meetings and highlighted the importance of seeking the views of the public. He accepted that information was limited at this stage until the White Paper was published on 16 December 2024.

·       Chris Caswill asked further about the benefits of a regional mayor, issues relating to planning and public involvement. The Leader explained that the Government had decided that combined authorities are the best way forward and there would be a risk to rural England if they were not involved in the process at an early stage. It is recognised that there would be a tension with regard to cross border planning and this required further clarity to define its impact within a combined authority.

Cllr Clare Cape asked about the funding streams for the Combined Authority and whether these would come from existing local authority funding or new forms of funding.  The Leader reported that further clarity is needed on the funding of combined authorities. He reminded members that the council currently bid for a number of funding streams and it was possible that these funding streams would be diverted to the combined authority to manage.

Resolved:

That Cabinet note:

1.    The revised expression of interest submitted to government as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

2.    The intention to continue discussions with neighbouring councils and government as appropriate, particularly following the publication of the English Devolution White Paper.

Reason for Decision:

Devolution should provide greater freedoms and flexibilities allowing councils to work more effectively to improve services for local residents.